By Nolan Barias
In the world of Mixed Martial Arts, two organizations tend to stand out from the rest in terms of competition. Ultimate Fighting Championship and Strikeforce are both huge names in the sport, and both have had a huge influence on the development of MMA.
The UFC was the first major MMA organization, getting its start in 1991. Advertising executive Art Davie was working on an ad campaign that featured the underground sport of MMA. He became intrigued by the sport and became a student of Rorion Gracie, of the famed Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu family.
Fast forward a year and Davie comes up with the idea for a huge televised MMA event that would pit fighters with strengths in multiple styles in the world's first Mixed Martial Arts championship. He teamed up with Rorion Gracie and director John Milius to create UFC 1, the first Ultimate Fighting Championship. The event was an enormous success with Royce Gracie winning the first championship.
Strikeforce, on the other hand, began as a kickboxing organization. However, in 2006, Strikeforce broadcasted its first MMA event, the Shamrock vs. Gracie bout. While it was the organization's debut MMA event, for several years it held the record as the MMA event with the highest attendance. Strikeforce also is notable for pairing up with NBC in 2008 to present the weekly Strikeforce on NBC series, which continued to improve the sport's visibility and popularity.
In 2011, the company which owns UFC bought Strikeforce, and many worried that Strikeforce would simply be merged into the UFC. Its new owners, Zuffa, LLC., promised that the two would remain separate although they did lay off most of Strikeforce's employees and make a few other changes, as well.
Several key Strikeforce fighters also became part of the UFC after the purchase by Zuffa. This has left vacancies in several weight classes, including the women's featherweight division and the men's' welterweight and heavyweight divisions. Strikeforce does have a lucrative television contract with Showtime, which expires in 2014, so for at least the next few years, Strikeforce will continue to be separate from UFC.
Both UFC and Strikeforce follow the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, although there are a few differences. A Strikeforce bout takes place in a hexagonal cage where UFC bouts occur in an octagonal cage. Strikeforce also forbids fighters from taking an elbow to the head of an opponent who was on the ground; however, that rule was changed when Strikeforce was purchased by Zuffa.
Mixed martial arts looks to have a bright future, an interest in the sport continues to gain momentum. Fighters continue to improve their skills, and MMA athletes are increasingly focused on reaching expert levels in multiple fighting styles. Changes in Strikeforce and UFC will, of course, have far reaching effects on the sport worldwide, but most analysts agree that this sport will continue to change and the competition will become even stronger in the coming years.
The UFC was the first major MMA organization, getting its start in 1991. Advertising executive Art Davie was working on an ad campaign that featured the underground sport of MMA. He became intrigued by the sport and became a student of Rorion Gracie, of the famed Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu family.
Fast forward a year and Davie comes up with the idea for a huge televised MMA event that would pit fighters with strengths in multiple styles in the world's first Mixed Martial Arts championship. He teamed up with Rorion Gracie and director John Milius to create UFC 1, the first Ultimate Fighting Championship. The event was an enormous success with Royce Gracie winning the first championship.
Strikeforce, on the other hand, began as a kickboxing organization. However, in 2006, Strikeforce broadcasted its first MMA event, the Shamrock vs. Gracie bout. While it was the organization's debut MMA event, for several years it held the record as the MMA event with the highest attendance. Strikeforce also is notable for pairing up with NBC in 2008 to present the weekly Strikeforce on NBC series, which continued to improve the sport's visibility and popularity.
In 2011, the company which owns UFC bought Strikeforce, and many worried that Strikeforce would simply be merged into the UFC. Its new owners, Zuffa, LLC., promised that the two would remain separate although they did lay off most of Strikeforce's employees and make a few other changes, as well.
Several key Strikeforce fighters also became part of the UFC after the purchase by Zuffa. This has left vacancies in several weight classes, including the women's featherweight division and the men's' welterweight and heavyweight divisions. Strikeforce does have a lucrative television contract with Showtime, which expires in 2014, so for at least the next few years, Strikeforce will continue to be separate from UFC.
Both UFC and Strikeforce follow the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, although there are a few differences. A Strikeforce bout takes place in a hexagonal cage where UFC bouts occur in an octagonal cage. Strikeforce also forbids fighters from taking an elbow to the head of an opponent who was on the ground; however, that rule was changed when Strikeforce was purchased by Zuffa.
Mixed martial arts looks to have a bright future, an interest in the sport continues to gain momentum. Fighters continue to improve their skills, and MMA athletes are increasingly focused on reaching expert levels in multiple fighting styles. Changes in Strikeforce and UFC will, of course, have far reaching effects on the sport worldwide, but most analysts agree that this sport will continue to change and the competition will become even stronger in the coming years.
About the Author:
Nolan Barias loves writing about mixed martial arts benefits. For more information about a San Diego mixed martial arts gym or to find local coaches teaching jiu jitsu in San Diego, please visit The Arena MMA website today.
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